246 
PHARMA COGNOSY. 
or less transparent in thin pieces; fusible; odor bal- 
samic; taste somewhat acrid. 
Not more than 1 5 per cent, of guaiac resin is insoluble 
in alcohol, and the alcoholic solution turns blue on 
the addition of tincture of ferric chloride ; the acid 
number is not less than 70, indicating the absence of 
colophony. 
Constituents. — Several acids are present, including 
guaiaconic, about 70 per cent., guaiaretic and guaiacic, 
the first giving a blue color with nitric acid and other 
oxidizing agents; among the other constituents are 
resin, gum and guaiac yellow ; the yield of ash should 
not be more than 4 per cent. 
I* IX ISUKGUNDICA (Burgundy Fitch). 
The resinous exudation of the stems of P'icea excelsa 
(Fam. Pinacese), an evergreen tree indigenous to Europe 
and Northern Asia. The resin is obtained by making 
incisions through the bark into the wood, the resin 
exuding and solidifying; it is then collected, and puri- 
fied by melting it in hot water and straining. The 
chief sources of supply are Finland, the Black Forest 
(Germany) and the Jura Mountains. 
Description. — Irregular, hard, opaque or translu- 
cent pieces, more or less plastic and adhesive, yellow- 
ish brown or reddish brown, brittle, the fracture shiny, 
conchoidal ; odor agreeably terebinthinate ; taste aro- 
matic and sweetish. 
Burgundy Pitch is partly soluble in cold alcohol 
(1 : 20), and almost entirely soluble in boiling alcohol 
or in glacial acetic acid. 
Constituents. — Chiefly resin, together with a little 
volatile oil. 
Adulterants. — Burgundy pitch is sometimes sub- 
stituted by various mixtures, as of other coniferous 
